© PA
“Manchester United” team's head coach Erik ten Hag spoke to the media before the “Premier” league match against London's “Chelsea”.
Questions dominated the press conference about Cristiano Ronaldo after the club confirmed in a statement that he will not be traveling with the team to “Stamford Bridge”. When asked if Cristiano Ronaldo refused to step onto the field after being substituted, the Dutchman replied with one word: “Yes”
After that, ten Hag was asked how he will deal with this situation and he categorically replied:
“I will handle it the way I have so far. I am a coach. I am responsible for the culture and I have to set standards and values, I have to control them. We are a team with standards and values, and we must control them. After the match against 'Rayo Vallecano', I said such behaviors are unacceptable, but he was not the only one it was directed to. It was for everyone. Since this is the second time, he faced consequences. We will miss him tomorrow and it is a loss for our team. But I think it is important for the mentality of the group, and now we need to focus on ‘Chelsea’ and that is the most important.”
Cristiano Ronaldo played in twelve matches this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
